“There are a lot of great players ahead of me. It is not going to be easy, but I want to keep playing well for my club and see where it takes me. I always thought if I am playing well in the Premier League I would have a chance.

“Hopefully there are many more caps to come. I always thought it would come eventually. I am thankful it came in Germany and that I managed to take my chance.

“Maybe I have had a point to prove. I feel I have done well personally so there is not much more I can do.”

It looks like the Republic of Ireland’s loss has become England’s gain considering Keane could well have been pulling on a green shirt instead of one with Three Lions on the chest.

Keane was eligible to play for the Irish through his father and represented them at both Under-17 and Under-19 levels.

But the Stockport-born star admits his dream was always to play for England and he has no regrets about turning his back on the Emerald Isle.

He added: “I always wanted to play for England, but when I was younger I was not at the level required so I thought it best to go and get some experience at international level with Ireland.

“My dad was born in Ireland and moved to England when he was nine. But he is over the moon.

“When I got a call saying they (England) wanted me I did not think twice. I was thankful to Ireland to play for them, but England was my country.